When we left off on Monday, our open shelves had been primed and were ready to be hung.
While the primer was out, we also primed the hood cover. We used a 2″ angled brush to work paint into the cracks and a small foam roller to smooth the surfaces. The primer immediately reduced the woodsy look on that wall.
After the primer dried (we used a low‑VOC Zinsser Smart Prime recommended by cabinet painters), we applied the same durable cabinet paint we’ve used elsewhere. Two thin, even coats of Benjamin Moore Advance in Cloud Cover over the primer did the job. We applied the paint with the same 2″ angled brush for detail work and a small foam roller for a uniform finish.
The fun began when we actually started mounting things on the wall. Since we had already drilled and marked all the screw locations, hanging the brackets was straightforward. We started with the short side of the wall and installed the brackets securely.
Moments later the shelves went up. It was an exciting step—seeing the finished components take shape on the wall made a big difference.
Before securing everything fully, we double‑checked levels and spacing to make sure everything sat straight. Luckily it was all level, so we proceeded with confidence.
Next we repeated the process along the longer side of the wall, mounting brackets and then setting the shelves in place.
Originally we planned to fasten the shelves into the wall and even made pocket holes for that purpose. After feeling how solid the brackets were, and not wanting to drill more holes into the tile, we decided to screw the shelves into the brackets instead. The screws went straight down through the pocket holes into the brackets, hiding the fasteners in a spot we could later caulk over. In hindsight the pocket holes weren’t necessary, but they ended up serving as convenient access points for concealed screws.
After fastening everything, we ran a thin bead of paintable white caulk along the top seams where the shelves met the brackets. We smoothed the caulk with a finger so the shelves and brackets read as a single, clean unit. It was a bit tedious but definitely worth it visually. Once the caulk dried, we touched up the paint so the seams matched the rest of the finish.
With the installation and caulking complete, the only thing left was to wait for everything to cure. Even though we were eager to load the shelves with plates and everyday items, we resisted so the paint and caulk could fully cure and avoid dents or marks during their first days of use.
We’ll load the shelves tomorrow and plan to document the process with a short time‑lapse video of the styling. For now, we’re enjoying the clean “after” shots while following the paint manufacturer’s recommended cure time.
We still plan to add crown molding at the ceiling to make the hood feel more finished, and there are a few ceiling touchups left. But with the hood painted and the shelves installed, the room is finally moving from “just started” toward “done.”
We’re really pleased with the brackets and glad we didn’t pursue true floating shelves. The brackets are sturdy and add character, and the shelves still provide plenty of usable space. They’re deep enough for 12″ dinner plates, and with 15″ spacing between brackets we’ll have room for everyday items that get used often enough to avoid gathering dust.
At first the white lines against the penny tile felt odd, but seeing the vision come together has been very satisfying.
Tomorrow we’ll share photos and video of the shelves fully styled. In the meantime, here’s a closer “after” shot of the room — we’re getting there. There are still a few projects left on the list: adding crown molding, patching the ceiling, installing a pendant over the sink, finishing the peninsula base, hanging art, and addressing the pantry side. But the progress is encouraging.
It’s fun to compare the space to its earlier state and realize how much has changed. Once we started tackling the updates, the momentum carried us forward — and we’re in the home stretch now. Anyone else finishing up a big home project?
